View full sizeAssociated Press PhotoShane Victorino (left) did not start for just the second time this season on Friday.

By Bill Evans

nj.com/south

PHILADELPHIA – For just the second time this season, Shane Victorino’s name wasn’t in Charlie Manuel’s lineup Friday night.

John Mayberry Jr. was set to start in center field in place of Victorino, who has been in the lineup every game this year when he was healthy. He missed one start in May because of a hand injury but entered later.

Victorino is hitting .252 – which is 25 points below his career average – and he only has 30 runs scored, though many of his other numbers are at or above his regular production and he has seven hits in his last five games.

“I thought it was about time,” said Manuel. “I’ve been watching the games. It’s time for him to start thinking about staying behind the ball and hopefully this gets him back on the right track. Sometimes you sit there and watch the game, it slows you down.

“On the left side, sometimes he strides too quick and gets out in front and it takes the sting out of your bat. I don’t like sitting him, because when he plays good, he gives us a chance to win a game, but he’s struggling right now from the left side. He’s an all arm-and-hand hitter right now.”

Victorino, who has been a Phillie since 2005, is a free agent after this season. Asked if he thought the uncertain future was weighing on Victorino, Manuel smiled.

“What do you think? Hand me your pad,” Manuel said to a reporter. “I’ve talked to him. … He just needs to relax and settle down. He needs to relax and clear his head a little bit.”

Victorino said he didn’t read much into sitting for the day.

“Charlie just said last night he thought about giving me an off day, I’ve played every game,” said Victorino. “I’ll be ready to go tonight for defense, pinch-running, pinch-hitting, whatever. It’s just a day for me to get a day off, nothing more. “

Manuel said Victorino would be back in the lineup on Saturday.

“More than likely. … Unless we score 10 runs,” said Manuel.

SECOND THOUGHTS: Chase Utley is seven games into his rehab assignment at Single-A Clearwater and unless the Phillies stop the clock on his 20-game rehab because he isn’t making progress, the second baseman will be back in the lineup in the next two weeks.

Manuel admitted he has thought about what his lineup would look like with Utley – who has missed the entire season with a chronic knee condition.

“I’ve thought about it, I haven’t scribbled it out yet,” said Manuel. “I’m waiting for him to walk through the door. I’ll find a spot for him.”

Utley, a five-time all-star, is hitting .192 with a home run and four RBIs at Clearwater.

MEMORIES: The last time the Tampa Bay Rays played a meaningful game in Philadelphia before Friday night was Game 5 of the 2008 World Series, which the Phillies won over three days to capture their second championship. The decisive game was stopped in the middle of the sixth inning and delayed for two days.

Asked for his recollection, Rays manager Joe Maddon rattled off a laundry list without taking a breath.

“It was a pretty interesting moment, the weather situation, intensity, pride of our group, the organization growing its wings for the first time,” recalled Maddon. “BJ (Upton) running, mud flapping up coming around third and sliding into home (in the sixth inning), Carlos (Pena’s) at-bat with the base hit to left, here comes the break, the organization’s in the DuPont lobby at 1 o’clock in the morning, standing in the corner taking it all in, wondering when we’re going to play again, Philly fans outside the hotel blowing their horns at 6 a.m. not wanting us to get any sleep.”

Pause.

“Tremendous stuff.”

Bill Evans can be reached at 856-845-9478 or bevans@southjerseymedia.com